Dify
n8n
| Feature | Dify | n8n |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free / from $59/mo | Free / from $24/mo |
| Free Plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Best For | ai-builders, non-technical-teams, enterprises, developers | developers, technical-teams, agencies, cost-conscious-teams, ai-builders |
| Founded | 2023 | 2019 |
| Visual Orchestration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Rag Pipeline | ✓ | ✗ |
| Agent Mode | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multi Model | ✓ | ✗ |
| Knowledge Base | ✓ | ✗ |
| Api Access | ✓ | ✗ |
| Workflows | ✗ | ✓ |
| Self Hosting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Code Nodes | ✗ | ✓ |
| Webhooks | ✗ | ✓ |
| Ai Agents | ✗ | ✓ |
| Api | ✗ | ✓ |
| Docker | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ Dify Pros
- Open-source and self-hostable
- Visual workflow builder
- Built-in RAG pipeline
- Multi-model support
✗ Dify Cons
- Complex for simple chatbots
- Self-hosting requires resources
- Documentation improving
✓ n8n Pros
- Free self-hosting (forever)
- Full JavaScript/Python in every node
- AI agent workflow builder
- No per-task pricing when self-hosted
✗ n8n Cons
- Requires technical setup for self-hosting
- 400+ integrations vs Zapier's 7,000+
- Steeper learning curve than Zapier or Make
The Verdict
Dify is built for ai builders and non technical teams, with a focus on visual-orchestration and rag-pipeline. n8n targets developers and technical teams and leads with workflows and self-hosting.
On pricing, n8n is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $24/mo compared to $59/mo for Dify. That $35/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Both offer free plans, so you can test each with your real workflow before committing to a subscription.
Feature-wise, n8n offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while Dify takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Both tools are a solid fit for ai builders, developers — in those cases, the decision often comes down to workflow style and how your team prefers to organize work.
This is a genuinely close comparison. If you can, sign up for both free trials (where available) and run a one-week test with your actual team tasks before deciding.
